The astonished faces of Lains and Zeta said it all. They had thought that Brand's swordsmanship might be stronger than what their vice captain mentioned, but it should have been limited. They had seen Breson's swordsmanship, which was among the best of the official members of the Guard Team. Yet, purely based on swordsmanship, it was impossible to take on two people at once.
They couldn't help but feel like they were in a dream. They looked at the sword in the opponent's hand—what was going on?
...
"Captain Madden is a veteran of the November War, and everyone knows this. He has already served the Kingdom once and proven his loyalty. Listen to me, everyone, don't we have an old saying? If Lord Marsha lets a person live, you should cherish this luck—"
"We cannot let a veteran who has survived a nine-deadly-honorable battlefield risk his life again. That's why I came up with this strategy. Please let me lead you all to fight for the protection of Buqi. This isn't about taking away anyone's glory; I just can't avoid it—"
"Well said, vice captain."
"We support you."
"Captain Madden will understand you."
Breson smiled a bit. When Madden ordered him to lead the villagers to break out towards Dagger River Beach, he had already decided to refuse. But he understood the old man's temper; he would absolutely not stand for disobedience, so he decided to take the risk.
He also understood that Madden wanted to preserve him. The old captain had said more than once that he might one day make a name for himself and become a pillar of the country's future. Yet Breson also knew that Erune did not need cowards.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but think of Brand. That good-for-nothing fellow actually offered to pass through the Xavier Mountain Path. He couldn't help but maliciously speculate if the guy was just looking for an excuse to run away, because it didn't seem impossible.
But just at this moment, a faint sound in the quiet forest made everyone turn their heads.
They saw Brand, sword in hand, pointing at Zeta and Lains as he walked out from behind the bushes. The atmosphere fell silent at first, and then each person looked like they had seen a ghost.
"Zeta?"
"Lains, what are you—?"
"Haha, a momentary error." Zeta looked embarrassed.
But Brand was looking at the normally overbearing vice captain of the Guard Team in astonishment. At this moment, the man was as stern-faced as ever. How could he not be? If he shouted here, the plan would be ruined entirely.
But Brand hadn't expected that this guy actually had the audacity to want to replace Madden and lead these willing young men to launch a feigned attack on Madara himself.
What kind of spirit was this?
Brand found it somewhat laughable but couldn't help but feel a bit of surprise and admiration. Was this the simplicity and passion of youth, or the pursuit of ideals? Yet, from Breson's somber face, he saw a sense of responsibility.
A sense of responsibility from this vice captain of the Guard Team.
"What do you intend to do?" Breson asked in a deep voice. Of course, he wanted to use a stronger tone, but he didn't want the other party to ruin his plan.
Though it seemed almost inevitable.
Brand lowered his sword—
...